HENDERSON, Nev. — “Constant improvement” was a phrase Las Vegas Raiders general manager John Spytek uttered several times during his preseason news conference. It’s what he’s seen from the roster he’s built thus far and what he’s hoping to observe throughout the 2026 season. It is an obvious goal given the troubles of his first season at the helm.

The Raiders went a league-worst 3-14 in 2025. Improvements were made to the coaching staff by bringing in the most sought-after head coaching candidate on the market in Klint Kubiak. Spytek also directed one of the league’s biggest roster overhauls, as just 14 players on this year’s initial 53-man roster predate the general manager’s January 2025 arrival. Only 27 remain from this time last season.

This offseason generated more excitement around the direction of the franchise than there’s been in years — a sense that a return to relevancy is approaching. With the Raiders failing to make the playoffs since 2021, Spytek feels the urgency, saying, “We’ve got to win football games” this year. But he also emphasized the need for patience.

“We’ve been very intentional,” Spytek said. “We’ve talked a lot about that and knowing who we’re bringing into the building. We have a very young roster, which requires development, and development requires time.”

Will such development require another faltering season, or will constant improvement make the Raiders competitive this year? And how are the key pieces in the rebuild fitting in?

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Here are some things I’m seeing with the Raiders as they enter the 2026 season.

What happens if Bowers can’t go

According to a report from ESPN, star tight end Brock Bowers will miss the start of the regular season after undergoing a meniscus procedure. When asked about Bowers (and Maxx Crosby’s) availability on Wednesday, Kubiak said, “We’re expecting to have all our players ready for Sunday,” though Bowers was officially listed as a DNP on Wednesday’s practice report.

Bowers’ absence would be a massive blow for the Raiders, as he was flourishing in Kubiak’s tight end-heavy system and looked healthy after dealing with a knee injury last season.

Bowers will be the focal point of the offense when he plays. Without him, a major undertaking would be necessary.

The first step in replacing Bowers’ output is getting results from his backups. The Raiders won’t abandon the tight end position in his absence; it’s too much of a factor in Kubiak’s scheme. That means Michael Mayer, Ian Thomas and Connor Heyward will see elevated roles.

Mayer was drafted in the second round in 2023 — two general managers ago. A new regime selected Bowers the next year, relegating Mayer to a complementary role. But Mayer has shown his talents in Kubiak’s scheme during training camp and the preseason, catching four passes for 27 yards and a touchdown over three exhibition games.

“I really love this offense, I really love Klint,” Mayer said during training camp. “It’s just about being comfortable, being the type of player that I can be, and going out there and showing people.”

Mayer can’t do all the things Bowers can — he’s less versatile in his alignment and can’t beat defenders with speed and quickness like the two-time Pro Bowler. But he has the skills and athleticism that won’t force the Raiders to shift things dramatically. He should take on much of Bowers’ receiving opportunities while he’s out.

Thomas served in a blocking role in 2025, his first season with the Raiders. Heyward, a former Steeler, was signed this offseason to be the team’s fullback but can line up at tight end. Neither can come close to replicating Bowers’ ability as a receiver.

That’s why the Raiders will be heavily run-focused without Bowers. Kubiak already utilizes the ground game more than most NFL play callers — the Seattle Seahawks were the third most run-heavy offense in football under his watch last season. That commitment to the ground game helps set up an effective play-action attack.

Without Bowers’ separation ability, the Raiders will need to have success running the ball to create windows for their targets in the passing game. Fortunately for them, running back Ashton Jeanty has returned to practice as a full participant, and rookie Mike Washington Jr. has shown real promise in a supplemental role.

The receivers will also have to step up with Bowers out. Kubiak was critical of them during training camp, saying they’re still looking for a wideout who can help on Sundays. Losing the threat of Bowers puts even more pressure on the group. Given those concerns, look for Kubiak to create space and opportunities for them with his scheme via motions and screens.

Cousins is the right call

Kubiak finally announced Kirk Cousins as the Raiders’ starting quarterback last week, giving him the nod over No. 1 draft pick Fernando Mendoza. They seemingly determined in April, before Cousins was signed, that this would be the approach; both Kubiak and Spytek expressed their preference of playing a veteran ahead of a rookie.

“I think you want to limit the amount of pressure you have on that guy from the start,” Spytek said at the NFL Combine in February. “If you have a young quarterback, I’m not necessarily in favor of running him out there right away either, so another quality player that can play the quarterback position if you have a young quarterback (is important).”

Kubiak has a past relationship with Cousins, who earned two Pro Bowl nominations when they were together with the Minnesota Vikings. Cousins, now 38, looked like he could recapture that form with an impressive showing in training camp and during the preseason.

Cousins commanded Kubiak’s offense throughout offseason practices as he took the majority of first-team reps. The ball seldom touched the ground with Cousins under center — when it did, his enthusiasm and vigor in correcting mistakes resonated with teammates. Kubiak said he’s seen Cousins grow the most in his leadership and control of the offense since their time with the Vikings.

Mendoza showed similar poise in most of his opportunities this summer. He found success throughout practices, connecting with sixth-round rookie receiver Malik Benson for what felt like multiple big plays every day. He embraced the challenge of playing under center after rarely doing so in college, and his snappers said they found no issue with his lack of experience. But he also, understandably, looked new to the NFL at times, testing limits with throws that ultimately led to deflections or interceptions.

The Raiders’ practice play was well represented with preseason performance. Cousins was clinical, going 13-for-17 for 101 yards and a touchdown on his three drives. Mendoza flashed, with a touchdown to Jack Bech and some big throws to Benson and Jalen Nailor, but he also threw two picks, took four sacks and finished with a 55.6 percent completion rate.

Mendoza is the Raiders’ future at the position, and he has the potential to elevate the offense way beyond what Cousins can. But it’s clear that Cousins’ command of the scheme gives them the best chance to win now. Team brass, which has said the best player in the competition will play, owes Cousins the opportunity to provide victories. It also owes its veterans a chance for success.

With Spytek being intentional with development, the situation appears perfect for Mendoza. He’ll watch Cousins operate the offense until it’s decided Mendoza can do better. By then, the hope is Kubiak and Cousins will have laid the groundwork for a winning culture. And in that time, Mendoza will have become steady enough to be depended on.

Ranking the Raiders

Here’s how I’d order the Raiders’ top 10 players based on what I saw in training camp and the preseason:

1. TE Brock Bowers: He was the obvious standout of camp. He had explosive receptions or touchdowns in nearly every practice, and looked like the star he proved to be as a rookie. His health is now a concern, but expectations are high when he returns.

2. Edge Maxx Crosby: He was a disrupter during practices, nearly shutting down sessions at times with his pressure. He’ll continue to be a force for the Raiders defensively.

3. C Tyler Linderbaum: The Raiders have their anchor in the middle of the offensive line. Linderbaum brought cohesion to the offensive front and delivered some striking blocks in the run game.

4. LB Quay Walker: He’ll be a fun defender to watch this season with how defensive coordinator Rob Leonard uses him. Walker is playing several roles and performing well in all of them.

5. RB Ashton Jeanty: His patience and comfort in the backfield have definitely increased in this new scheme. As long as he’s healthy, a big Year 2 is ahead.

6. CB Eric Stokes: He dominated his 1-on-1 matchups and wasn’t thrown at much in practices. He’s clearly the best coverage defender the Raiders have right now.

7. P AJ Cole: His 54.8 yards per punt led the league during the preseason.

8. QB Kirk Cousins: As mentioned above, he has command of Kubiak’s scheme and can create success for the offense.

9. NB Taron Johnson: He was a tackling force at the second level and will be a key defender against outside runs.

10. LB Nakobe Dean: The chief of the defense, he kept his unit cohesive when on the field.

Left tackle Kolton Miller would be on this list if he wasn’t facing Crosby every day in practice. He looks healthy again and capable of controlling Cousins’ blindside.

Tre Tucker also had a case. Kubiak wants to see more from the receivers — Tucker was the most consistent of the group, a guy the Raiders want to get the ball to downfield and in space. Edge Kwity Paye had some adjusting to do early on, but came to life late as a run defender.

Rookie Report

QB Fernando Mendoza: As previously mentioned, he showed why he was the No. 1 pick on numerous occasions. The Raiders want to see those flashes become standard. Kubiak and his staff will continue to challenge him as a backup so that when he becomes the starter, he’s consistent.

S Treydan Stukes: He got off to a little bit of a rocky start, with some slip-ups in coverage and tackling issues in the first preseason game. But he turned it on as camp continued, shoring up his technique and showing he can be a force coming downhill. His improvements have resulted in the possibility that he’ll be the only Raiders rookie starting the opener.

OL Trey Zuhn III: He had a tough task, playing three positions as he constantly moved around. But he managed it well, and looks to have more potential at tackle than was thought coming out of college. He’ll be the Raiders’ most important depth piece up front.

Edge Keyron Crawford: His season-ending Achilles injury hurt for him and the Raiders. Crawford was starting to figure out a pass-rush plan before going down, and now Las Vegas is down a rotational pass rusher. How his recovery affects his explosiveness, one of his best traits, will be crucial for his success going forward.

CB Jermod McCoy: The first preseason game was rough for him as he gave up a pair of contested-catch touchdowns. But he’s gotten better playing the ball since. The biggest thing is that he hasn’t missed time with his knee, and looks like he can contribute in his rookie year.

RB Mike Washington Jr.: An outstanding preseason has caused the rhetoric around his role to shift. Washington clearly will provide value as a complement to Jeanty as a runner, and his big-play ability is something this offense needs. Jeanty’s injury could give Washington a bigger role early on, and how he receives and pass protects will determine his snap share when the lead back is fully healthy.

S Dalton Johnson: He’s proven capable as a backup safety and nickel, but won’t see the field much on defense. He’ll make an impact as a core-four special teamer, however.

CB Hezekiah Masses: He was challenging Darien Porter for a starting spot before the second-year veteran pulled away during the last week of camp. That competition could re-ignite during the season if Masses continues to develop his coverage, as he’s shown the ability to make plays on the ball.

WR Malik Benson: He was making a real push for a featured role with how he performed in camp, but some rookie mistakes during the preseason seem to have hindered that a bit. Still, he’s shown as much promise as one can as a late-round pick.

DT Brandon Cleveland: He had some nice plays in the preseason finale, but it ultimately wasn’t enough to make the roster. A practice-squad elevation is his only chance to see the field.

Don’t discount Crosby

The organization owes something to Crosby, its longest-tenured defensive player. Despite being among the NFL’s best players since entering the league in 2019, Crosby has appeared in just one playoff game and owns a 42-68 record in 110 regular-season games played.

The lack of success is responsible for some of Crosby’s frustrations, leading to a trade to the Baltimore Ravens this offseason. Baltimore rescinded the move over concerns with Crosby’s surgically repaired knee, forcing a reunion with the Raiders.

Both sides said there’s no awkwardness with Crosby’s return, and he said he’s “fired up” to be back in Las Vegas. In training camp, he showed that with his play.

Rarely a practice period went by without Crosby making his presence felt. He consistently won in the pass rush and got into the backfield to stop runs. The only thing that forced him to relent was Kubiak suspending him for a practice after an altercation with Cousins.

Crosby’s performance is no indictment on the Raiders offensive line, a group looking to improve on a putrid display a year ago. Crosby created chaos during the joint practice with the Houston Texans as well, picking up multiple sacks against a line hoping to ascend in its own right.

Crosby didn’t play in the preseason, but that was Kubiak’s decision and unrelated to his health. Throughout training camp, the knee did not seem to affect his play. Spytek said they treated the Houston trip like a game week for him, which he responded to well. The Raiders expect Crosby to be full go for Week 1, and reestablish himself as the force he’s been in years past.

“A big role,” Spytek said of Crosby’s position on the team. “It’s the same Maxx that I got to enjoy watching play last year. Just like we thought and we knew that he’d be ready to roll at the start of the preseason.”